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High-Scoring Anniston Dawgs

Anniston quarterback Damon Pope gets ready to launch a pass against Alexandria on Friday at Alexandria. Anniston won, 40-16. (Photo by Kimberly Ritchie/For East Alabama Sports Today)
Anniston quarterback Damon Pope gets ready to launch a pass against Alexandria on Friday at Alexandria. Anniston won, 40-16. (Photo by Kimberly Ritchie/For East Alabama Sports Today)

Alexandria, AL – Pope, Williams lead the way as Anniston beats Alexandria 40-16, makes it 102 points in Bulldogs’ past two games.

This week’s schedule

FRIDAY, Sept. 13
Anniston 40, Alexandria 16, FINAL
Central-Clay 34, Marbury 3, FINAL
Cherokee County 42, Etowah 0, FINAL
Cleburne County 28, Talladega 26, FINAL
Coosa Christian 42, Falkville 0, FINAL
Wadley 58, Donoho 6, FINAL
Wellborn 28, Glencoe 9, FINAL
St. James 21, Handley 18, FINAL
Hokes Bluff 31, White Plains 0, FINAL
Center Point 40, Jacksonville 21, FINAL
Jacksonville Christian 38, Victory (Miss.) 6, FINAL
Leeds 42, Lincoln 14, FINAL
Bullock County 14, Munford 0, FINAL
Oxford 40, Pinson Valley 7, FINAL
Pisgah 52, Pleasant Valley 6, FINAL
Reeltown 48, Ranburne 0, FINAL
Randolph County 28, Dadeville 0, FINAL
Saks 26, Weaver 20, FINAL
Fort Payne 14, Southside 13, FINAL
Spring Garden 48, Woodville 0, FINAL
Woodland 22, Gaston 7, FINAL
Locust Fork 47, Westbrook Christian 43, FINAL
J.B. Pennington 31, Ohatchee 27, FINAL
Open: Piedmont.

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By Joe Medley

Damon Pope saw a lot to like in Anniston’s 40-16 victory at Alexandria on Friday.

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“My teammates, they were moving a lot faster than normal,” Anniston’s quarterback said. “They were out there playing with intensity, playing full speed. They really wanted it tonight.

“Our running backs, they were going crazy. Our line,  they were blocking for me, doing their thing.”

Anniston (2-1) outgained Alexandria 407 yards to 176 while improving to 2-0 in Class 4A, Region 6 play,

Pope accounted for 174 yards in total offense, including 92 rushing yards. He rushed for touchdowns of 61 and three yards and threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Moore.

Jabari Williams rushed for 99 yards, including touchdown runs of one, two and three yards.

The Bulldogs have scored 102 points in their past two games, including last week’s 62-8 handling of Ashville, after losing their opener to Beauregard 8-6.

Anniston’s defense gave up 10 points.

“They’ve been playing lights out all year,” Anniston coach Rico Jackson said. “They’re communicating and believing and flying to the ball.

“Good things happen when you run to the ball.”

Alexandria took a 7-0 lead on M.J. Morris’ 88-yard kickoff return.

With the help of special-teams miscues, Anniston answered with two Williams touchdown runs to lead 12-7. Alexandria muffed a kickoff that Anniiston recovered between Williams’ touchdowns.

The Valley Cubs made a stand after one mishap and  mounted their best drive of the night, leading to Forrest’s 31-yard field goal to bring them within 12-10 at 3:49 of the second quarter.

Anniston scored the next 20 points, including Pope’s 61-yard run to make it 18-10 just before halftime.

‘The special-teams mistakes hurt us tremendously,” Alexandria coach Todd Ginn said. “At the end of the day, we’re 1-1. I thought, physically, they whupped us up front most of the night, so we’re going to talk about that.

“We’ll fix some things, but 1-1? We’ll fix it and get back to work on Monday.”

 

Anniston quarterback Damon Pope gets ready to launch a pass against Alexandria on Friday at Alexandria. Anniston won, 40-16. (Photo by Kimberly Ritchie/For East Alabama Sports Today)
Anniston quarterback Damon Pope gets ready to launch a pass against Alexandria on Friday at Alexandria. Anniston won, 40-16. (Photo by Kimberly Ritchie/For East Alabama Sports Today)

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